Prophecy Ch.8
By Maia

Ryu and Sakura studied the menu absently. Her practice didn’t go quite as they expected it to. Sakura felt that Ryu had his mind on other things, while he thought that ‘her’ focus wasn’t where it should have been. They were both, in a sense, correct. His mind was distracted with his feelings for Chun Li. And hers was ‘also’ about his feelings for Chun Li.

The waiter directing a group of three toward their table interrupted their own ‘world’. Ken, Cammy, and Guy sat down, with two certain ones eyeing each other as though they could kill.

Ryu looked around the room curiously. “Where’s Chun Li?”

All of the sudden the whole room fell silent. He turned to find what had gotten all the customers attention. At the doorway, he saw Chun Li…with someone’s arm wrapped around her waist. Since others blocked his view, he couldn’t see who it was.

*Either way he’s dead. *

Then, he saw the man seeming to decline people, as they approached him, for something. Ryu impatiently stood up and walked toward them. Whether it was happiness to see an old friend, or relief to know who it was (and his relationship with Chun Li), he shook Fei Long’s hand enthusiastically.

After furthered introductions, the group talked about the outcome of Chun Li’s hotel room. No one seemed to come up with any possibilities, except for the fact that it was Bison. Ryu noticed that throughout the meal, Chun Li seemed rather distracted.

“Chun Li?”

She turned curiously to Ryu.

“Yeah?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I was wondering if you were okay. You seem distracted.”

She smiled thoughtfully. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” She placed her napkin onto her plate. “Um, if you could excuse me, I need to go to the ladies room.”

She got up from the chair, but was stopped by a hand that loosely gripped her elbow. She turned around and saw that it was Ken. He looked as though he was trying to win an argument with himself.

“I don’t think that you should go by yourself.”

She blankly looked at him, then smirked. “Why? Did you want to come with me or something?”

He was taken aback. “No! I…uh…”

Ryu interrupted. “Sakura could take you.”

They group looked at Sakura. She was busily eating her lunch, not paying attention to the conversation. Chun Li rolled her eyes.

“Guys! I do not need to be watched while I’m in the bathroom, okay!”

She yelled it a little ‘too’ loudly as the table noticed that they caught the attention of nearby customers.

Ken hesitantly let go of her arm as she spun around and headed toward the restrooms.

~

Chun Li waited until everyone at the table busied themselves with other matters. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the note she had found at the hotel. She read the letter over and over again.

DEAREST CHUN LI.

SINCE YOU SEEM TO HAVE A FEW ‘BODYGUARDS’, I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE WISER TO LET YOU COME TO ME. I HAVE YOUR FATHER. HE WILL DIE A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH. I PROPOSE A TRADE. YOU FOR HIM. NO NEED TO FIND ME, I’LL SIMPLY FIND YOU.

Forcefully shoving the note back into her jacket, she slowly crept toward the exit.

*I have to get out of here and find my father. *

~

Guy wasn’t paying attention to the conversations going around the table. He took a look at the entranceway. He raised his eyebrows as he spotted a beautiful figure leaving. *Hmmm…maybe I can get a date with her. *

Then, he quickly squinted his eyes.

*Was that Chun Li? *

“Hey guys!”

Everyone turned his or her attention to him. Guy pointed towards the door. Each person saw Chun Li leave the restaurant. Ryu quickly got up from his seat and was about to follow her, but he was stopped dead in his tracks by the sounds of gunshots coming from outside.

Everyone dashed outside.